Tag: Duduzane Zuma

Son of Former President Jacob Zuma, Duduzane, (C) speaks to reporters at the Randburg Magistrates Court in Johannesburg. Photo: AFP

Duduzane Zuma, the son of South Africa’s graft-tainted former president Jacob Zuma, will stand trial for culpable homicide in March over a fatal late-night car crash in 2014, a magistrate said on Friday.

Duduzane, 34, appeared before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court in Johannesburg accompanied by his father, who was flanked by security personnel.

He is accused of causing the death of Phumzile Dube after his Porsche hit a minibus she was travelling in.

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A South African court on Thursday adjourned until October 26, hearing in a culpable homicide case against former president Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane, after his lawyers asked for more time to prepare his defence.

The 34-year-old appeared in court, accompanied by his father, to face two charges over a car crash in 2014 when his Porsche 911 ploughed into a minivan taxi in Johannesburg, killing one woman and injuring another who later died.

State prosecutors initially decided not to charge Duduzane, who denies any wrongdoing.

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Former South African president Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane, has been summoned to appear in court next week to answer homicide charges over a fatal car crash in 2014.

State prosecutors initially decided not to charge Duduzane after his Porsche 911 sports car plowed into a minivan taxi in Johannesburg, killing one woman and seriously injuring another who later died in hospital.

The National Prosecuting Authority reversed its decision after Duduzane’s father was ousted as head of state by the ruling African National Congress in February.

Prosecutors initially gave Duduzane Zuma two months to say why he should not be prosecuted, but said he had failed to do so by the deadline at the end of March. They said in April they would charge Duduzane with culpable homicide.

Phindi Mjonondwane, a spokeswoman for the NPA, told Reuters on Tuesday that Duduzane had been summoned to appear at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg on July 12 and that prosecutors expected him to attend.

Attempts to reach Duduzane, who rarely speaks to the media, were unsuccessful. His lawyer was not immediately available for comment.

During an inquest in 2014, Duduzane said his car hit a puddle and he lost control‚ veering into the taxi‚ which in turn smashed into a barrier, describing the incident as “tragic.”

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Duduzane Zuma, son of President Jacob Zuma will face trial soon for culpable homicide, Rights group Afriforum said on Tuesday.

Duduzume would privately be prosecuted over an accident in 2014 where one person was killed.

South African prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who laid out the murder case against Paralympian Oscar Pistorius, will prosecute Duduzane on behalf of the rights group. Nel resigned in January to join a civic group that plans to bring private prosecutions in criminal cases that the state opts not to pursue.

Under South African law private prosecutions of cases can be pursued in the public interest.

“There exist no valid grounds for the NPA to decline to prosecute Mr Zuma (Duduzane), and Dube’s family deserves that justice is served,” Nel said.

During his 36-year career at the NPA, Nel was known for taking on the powerful and politically connected. His biggest scalp was former police chief and Interpol head Jackie Selebi, who was convicted of corruption in 2010.

The National Prosecuting Authority decided not to prosecute Duduzane after his Porsche 911 sports car plowed into a minivan in Johannesburg in heavy rain, killing Phumzile Dube and critically injuring two, police said at the time.

Attempts to reach Duduzane, who rarely speaks to the media, were unsuccessful.